Sequans Communications Announces First Quarter 2022 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Sequans Communications S.A. (NYSE: SQNS) reported strong first-quarter 2022 results, with revenue of $13.9 million, up 12% year-over-year. Adjusting for a $1.1 million Verizon Jetpack contribution in Q1 2021, growth was 23.7%. Gross profit surged to $9.5 million, yielding a gross margin of 68.1%. The company narrowed its operating loss to $2.0 million and achieved a net profit of $2.0 million. Significant growth in the LTE-M/NB business and increased service revenue from 5G agreements were key drivers. The company is finalizing a strategic partnership expected to fund further 5G investments.

Positive

• Revenue increased by 12% year-over-year to $13.9 million.
• Gross profit rose to $9.5 million, with a gross margin of 68.1%.
• LTE-M/NB business grew 125% year-over-year, driven by Monarch products.
• Narrowed operating loss to $2.0 million compared to $5.8 million last year.
• Successfully executed an MOU with a new strategic partner for 5G investments.

Negative

• Operating loss remains significant at $2.0 million.
• Potential business hurdles from lockdowns in China and the Russia-Ukraine war.
• Uncertainty surrounding wafer supply despite expected sufficiency.

PARIS, May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sequans Communications S.A. (NYSE: SQNS), a leading developer and provider of 5G/4G solutions for IoT devices, today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022.

First Quarter 2022 Summary Results Table:

(in US$ millions, except share and per share data)	Q1 2022	Q4 2021	Q1 2021
Revenue	$13.9	$13.8	$12.3
Gross profit	9.5	7.9	6.2
Gross margin (%)	68.1 %	57.1 %	50.1 %
Operating loss	(2.0)	(4.0)	(5.8)
Net Profit (Loss)	2.0	(7.7)	(11.4)
Diluted earnings (loss) per ADS	$0.04	($0.21)	($0.33)
Non-IFRS diluted earnings per ADS *	($0.04)	($0.09)	($0.15)
Weighted average number of diluted ADS	46,013,404	37,497,367	34,664,779
* See Use of Non-IFRS/non-GAAP Financial Measures disclosure on page 3. IFRS Net Profit (Loss) includes significant non-cash interest expense and change in value of embedded derivative that are excluded from Non-IFRS measures

"Sequans is off to a strong start in 2022. First quarter revenue grew by more than 12% year-over-year and, when adjusted to exclude the $1.1 million of the Verizon Jetpack contribution from the first quarter 2021, revenue grew by 23.7% year-over-year," said Georges Karam, CEO of Sequans. "The main revenue growth driver in the quarter was our LTE-M/NB business with our Monarch products family, which grew more than 24% sequentially and 125% year-over-year, driven by design wins moving into mass production. Also, the Broadband category grew 35% year-over-year, attributable to increased services and licensing revenue from our existing 5G agreements with our strategic partner and Renesas. This increase in service and licensing revenue significantly boosted our gross margin in the first quarter to 68.1%, up from 50.1% in the same quarter last year and 57.1% in the prior quarter. The increased margin contribution narrowed our operating loss and reduced our non-IFRS net loss to $1.8 million from a non-IFRS net loss of $5.1 million in the first quarter of 2021.

"We successfully executed an MOU with a new strategic partner that, once concluded, is expected to fully fund the balance of our 5G investment in the Taurus platform," continued Mr. Karam. "The definitive agreement is currently being finalized with the goal of closing by June 30th. In parallel with this new strategic partnership, our strong position in 5G has led to other additional non-exclusive, high-potential strategic discussions. These are opportunities that would further expand our addressable market by increasing penetration in existing markets or providing access to new markets that we do not currently serve. We expect to have further clarity on these initiatives over the course of the year."

Mr. Karam concluded, "We are closely monitoring potential business hurdles for the remainder of 2022, including the recent lockdowns in China, the upsurge in the Russia-Ukraine war, and our wafer supply from TSMC. Regarding the lockdown in China, we have managed to limit the impact on our shipment in Q1 and we continue to monitor this closely. In terms of our small R&D team located in Ukraine, they continue to work and successfully meet their deliverables. The impact of the Ukrainian crisis on our execution was minimal. Lastly, with the help of TSMC, we expect to have sufficient wafers supply to meet our customers' demand for 2022. Sequans has a close working relationship with the team at TSMC, who support our goals and our cellular IoT strategy."

Q2 2022 Outlook

The following statement is based on management's current assumptions and expectations and assumes no increase in the severity or duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. This statement is forward-looking and actual results may differ materially.

Management is targeting sequential growth in the second quarter but continues to monitor potential impacts on revenue of China's pandemic lockdowns and of supply chain disruptions on the timing of product shipments and project advancement.  Gross margin is expected to be above 55% in the quarter, driven by a strong component of service and licensing revenue.

Management plans to update the outlook once the strategic 5G agreement is closed.

First Quarter 2022 Highlights:

Revenue: Revenue was $13.9 million, an increase of 0.6% compared to the fourth quarter of 2021 and an increase of 12.7% compared to the first quarter of 2021.

Gross margin: Gross margin was 68.1% compared to 57.1% in the fourth quarter of 2021 and compared to 50.1% in the first quarter of 2021.

Operating loss:  Operating loss was $2.0 million compared to $4.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 and $5.8 million in the first quarter of 2021.

Net profit / loss: Net profit was $2.0 million, or $0.04 per diluted ADS, compared to net loss of $7.7 million, or ($0.21) per ADS, in the fourth quarter of 2021 and a net loss of $11.4 million, or ($0.33) per ADS, in the first quarter of 2021. Net profit in the first quarter of 2022 includes a $6.4 million gain on the change in fair value of the convertible debt derivative whereas in the fourth quarter of 2021 there was a loss of $1.2 million.

Net loss and diluted loss per ADS:  Excluding the non-cash stock-based compensation, the non-cash impact of the fair-value and effective interest adjustments related to the convertible debt with embedded derivatives and other financings,  non-IFRS net loss was $1.8 million, or ($0.04) per ADS, compared to $3.5 million, or ($0.09) per ADS in the fourth quarter of 2021, and $5.1 million, or ($0.15) per ADS, in the first quarter of 2021. The non-IFRS net loss includes foreign exchange gains of $370,000, or $0.01 per ADS, in the first quarter of 2022, $135,000, or less than $0.01 per ADS, in the fourth quarter of 2021 and $1.4 million, or $0.04 per ADS, in the first quarter of 2021.

Cash: Cash and cash equivalents and short-term deposits at March 31, 2022 totaled $26.3 million compared to $4.8 million at December 31, 2021.

Conference Call and Webcast

Sequans plans to conduct a teleconference and live webcast to discuss the financial results for the first quarter of 2022 today, May 3, 2022 at 8:00 a.m. ET /14:00 CET. o participate in the live call, analysts and investors should dial 877-407-0792 or +1 201-689-8263 if outside the U.S. When prompted, provide the event title or access code: 13728393. A live and archived webcast of the call will be available from the Investors section of the Sequans website at https://www.sequans.com/company/investor-relations/webcasts-and-presentations/. An audio replay of the conference call will be available until May 24, 2022, by dialing toll free 844-512-2921 or 412-317-6671 from outside the U.S., using the following access code: 13728393.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains projections and other forward-looking statements regarding future events, including strategic agreements, or our future financial performance and potential financing sources. All statements other than present and historical facts and conditions contained in this release, including any statements regarding future results of operations and financial positions, business strategy and plans, including financing alternatives for our 5G business and ability to enter into a new 5G strategic agreement, expectations for Massive IoT sales, the impact of the Covid-19 on our supply chain and on customer demand, our expectation for sufficient capacity to meet customer demand in 2022, the impact of component shortages and manufacturing capacity, our ability to convert our pipeline to revenue and our objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). These statements are only predictions and reflect our current beliefs and expectations with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and subject to risk and uncertainties and subject to change at any time. We undertake no obligation to update the information made in this release in the event facts or circumstances subsequently change after the date of this press release. We operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. Given these risks and uncertainties, you should not rely on or place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Actual events or results may differ materially from those contained in the projections or forward-looking statements. In addition to the risk factors contained in our Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained herein include, without limitation: (i) the contraction or lack of growth of markets in which we compete and in which our products are sold, (ii) unexpected increases in our expenses, including manufacturing expenses, (iii) our inability to adjust spending quickly enough to offset any unexpected revenue shortfall, (iv) delays or cancellations in spending by our customers, (v) unexpected average selling price reductions, (vi) the significant fluctuation to which our quarterly revenue and operating results are subject due to cyclicality in the wireless communications industry and transitions to new process technologies, (vii) our inability to anticipate the future market demands and future needs of our customers, (viii) our inability to achieve new design wins or for design wins to result in shipments of our products at levels and in the timeframes we currently expect, (ix) our inability to enter into and execute on strategic alliances, (x) our ability to meet performance milestones under strategic license agreements, (xi) the impact of natural disasters on our sourcing operations and supply chain, (xii) the impact of Covid-19 on the ability to operate our business and research, production of our products or demand for our products by customers whose supply chain is impacted or whose operations have been impacted by government shelter-in-place or similar orders, (xiii) our ability to raise debt and equity financing, and (xv) other factors detailed in documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Use of Non-IFRS/non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement our unaudited consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS, we disclose certain non-IFRS, or non-GAAP, financial measures.  These measures exclude the non-cash stock-based compensation and the non-cash impacts of convertible debt amendments, conversions and repayments, effective interest adjustments related to the convertible debt with embedded derivatives and other financings; and deferred tax benefit or expense related to the convertible debt and other financings.  We believe that these measures can be useful to facilitate comparisons among different companies.  These non-GAAP measures have limitations in that the non-GAAP measures we use may not be directly comparable to those reported by other companies.  We seek to compensate for this limitation by providing a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable IFRS measures in the table attached to this press release.

About Sequans Communications

Sequans Communications S.A. (NYSE: SQNS) is a leading developer and provider of 5G and 4G chips and modules for IoT devices. For 5G/4G massive IoT applications, Sequans provides a comprehensive product portfolio based on its flagship Monarch LTE-M/NB-IoT and Calliope Cat 1 chip platforms, featuring industry-leading low power consumption, a large set of integrated functionalities, and global deployment capability. For 5G/4G broadband and critical IoT applications, Sequans offers a product portfolio based on its Cassiopeia 4G Cat 4/Cat 6 and planned high-end Taurus 5G chip platforms, optimized for low-cost residential, enterprise, and industrial applications. Founded in 2003, Sequans is based in Paris, France with additional offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Israel, Hong Kong, Singapore, Finland, Taiwan, South Korea, and China.

Visit Sequans online at www.sequans.com; www.facebook.com/sequans; www.twitter.com/sequans

Media Relations:  Kimberly Tassin, +1.425.736.0569, Kimberly@sequans.com 
Investor Relations: Kimberly Rogers, +1 385.831-7337, krogers@sequans.com

Condensed financial tables follow

	SEQUANS COMMUNICATIONS S.A.
	UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
				Three months ended
	(in thousands of US$, except share and per share amounts)			March 31, 2022		December 31, 2021		March 31, 2021
	Revenue :
		Product revenue		$          5,925		$          6,924		$          8,548
		Services and license revenue		7,966		6,886		3,773
	Total revenue			13,891		13,810		12,321
	Cost of revenue			4,436		5,922		6,143
	Gross profit			9,455		7,888		6,178
	Operating expenses :
		Research and development		6,414		6,678		7,254
		Sales and marketing		2,521		2,342		2,294
		General and administrative		2,492		2,897		2,460
	Total operating expenses			11,427		11,917		12,008
	Operating loss			(1,972)		(4,029)		(5,830)
	Financial income (expense):
		Interest income (expense), net		(2,672)		(2,475)		(2,711)
		Change in fair value of convertible debt derivative		6,397		(1,176)		(4,090)
		Foreign exchange gain (loss)		370		135		1,358
	Profit (Loss) before income taxes			2,123		(7,545)		(11,273)
	Income tax expense			104		173		147
	Profit (Loss)			$          2,019		$         (7,718)		$      (11,420)
	Attributable to :
		Shareholders of the parent		2,019		(7,718)		(11,420)
		Minority interests		—		—		—
	Basic loss per ADS			$0.05		($0.21)		($0.33)
	Diluted loss per ADS			$0.04		($0.21)		($0.33)
	Weighted average number of ADS used for computing:
	— Basic			41,142,823		37,497,367		34,664,779
	— Diluted			46,013,404		37,497,367		34,664,779

 

	SEQUANS COMMUNICATIONS S.A.
	UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
		At March 31,		At Dec 31,
(in thousands of US$)		2022		2021
ASSETS
	Non-current assets
	Property, plant and equipment	$                  7,700		$                    8,010
	Intangible assets	44,255		37,984
	Deposits and other receivables	2,252		2,311
	Other non-current financial assets	350		357
	Total non-current assets	54,557		48,662
	Current assets
	Inventories	7,539		6,433
	Trade receivables	5,551		13,622
	Contract assets	973		789
	Prepaid expenses	2,153		2,108
	Other receivables	6,722		7,252
	Research tax credit receivable	7,136		5,863
	Short-term deposits	16,500		—
	Cash and cash equivalents	9,803		4,835
	Total current assets	56,377		40,902
Total assets		$               110,934		$                  89,564
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
	Equity
	Issued capital, euro 0.02 nominal value, 186,564,726  shares authorized, issued and outstanding at March  31, 2022 (151,419,322  shares at December 31, 2021)	$                  4,554		$                    3,687
	Share premium	327,661		298,389
	Other capital reserves	58,513		57,198
	Accumulated deficit	(381,535)		(383,554)
	Other components of equity	(181)		(26)
	Total equity	9,012		(24,306)
	Non-current liabilities
	Government grant advances, loans and other liabilities	8,005		9,354
	Convertible debt	38,103		36,373
	Convertible debt embedded derivative	3,684		10,081
	Lease liabilities	3,040		3,373
	Trade payables	3,798		964
	Provisions	2,212		2,137
	Deferred tax liabilities	134		138
	Contract liabilities	2,269		2,706
	Total non-current liabilities	61,245		65,126
	Current liabilities
	Trade payables	11,396		13,916
	Interest-bearing receivables financing	9,738		9,518
	Lease liabilities	1,261		1,247
	Government grant advances and loans	5,811		6,206
	Contract liabilities	4,122		8,677
	Other current liabilities and provisions	8,349		9,180
	Total current liabilities	40,677		48,744
Total equity and liabilities		$               110,934		$                  89,564

 

 

	SEQUANS COMMUNICATIONS S.A.
	UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW
				Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands of US$)				2022		2021
Operating activities
	Profit (Loss) before income taxes			$            2,123		$        (11,273)
	Non-cash adjustment to reconcile income before tax to net cash from (used in) operating activities
		Depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment		826		875
		Amortization and impairment of intangible assets		1,574		1,895
		Share-based payment expense		1,315		1,160
		Increase in provisions		70		41
		Interest expense, net		2,672		2,734
		Change in the fair value of convertible debt embedded derivative		(6,397)		4,090
		Foreign exchange loss (gain)		(89)		(1,115)
	Working capital adjustments
		Decrease (Increase) in trade receivables and other receivables		8,215		10,141
		Decrease (increase) in inventories		(1,106)		1,604
		Increase  in research tax credit receivable		(659)		380
		Increase in trade payables and other liabilities		(4,286)		208
		Decrease in contract liabilities		(5,456)		(2,812)
		Increase (Decrease) in government grant advances		(1,200)		1,390
	Income tax paid			(298)		(120)
Net cash flow provided by (used in) operating activities				(2,696)		9,198
Investing activities
	Purchase of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment			(1,259)		(3,610)
	Capitalized development expenditures			(4,231)		(2,279)
	Purchase of financial assets			66		(2,698)
	Decrease (increase) of short-term deposit			(16,500)		10,900
	Interest received			—		23
Net cash flow provided by (used in) investments activities				(21,924)		2,336
Financing activities
	Proceeds from issue of warrants, exercise of stock options/warrants			—		87
	Public and private equity offering proceeds, net of transaction costs paid			30,139		—
	Proceeds (Repayment of) from interest-bearing receivables financing			359		(2,976)
	Proceeds from interest-bearing research project financing			—		(181)
	Payment of lease liabilities			(246)		(448)
	Repayment of government loans			(110)		(121)
	Repayment of venture debt			—		(1,460)
	Repayment of interest-bearing research project financing			(241)		—
	Interest paid			(311)		(533)
Net cash flows from (used in) financing activities				29,590		(5,632)
	Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			4,970		5,902
	Net foreign exchange difference			(2)		10
	Cash and cash equivalents at January 1			4,835		7,574
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period				9,803		13,486

 

SEQUANS COMMUNICATIONS S.A.
UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF NON-IFRS FINANCIAL RESULTS
(in thousands of US$, except share and per share amounts)			Three months ended
			March 31, 2022		December 31, 2021		March 31, 2021
Net IFRS loss as reported			$          2,019		$         (7,718)		$      (11,420)
Add back
	Non-cash stock-based compensation expense according to IFRS 2 (1)		1,315		1,861		1,160
	Non-cash change in the fair value of convertible debt embedded derivative		(6,397)		1,176		4,090
	Non-cash interest on convertible debt  and other financing (2)		1,218		1,219		1,085
Non-IFRS loss adjusted			$         (1,845)		$         (3,462)		$         (5,085)
IFRS basic loss per ADS as reported			$0.05		($0.21)		($0.33)
Add back
	Non-cash stock-based compensation expense according to IFRS 2 (1)		$0.03		$0.05		$0.03
	Non-cash change in the fair value of convertible debt embedded derivative		($0.15)		$0.03		$0.12
	Non-cash interest on convertible debt  and other financing (2)		$0.03		$0.03		$0.03
Non-IFRS basic loss per ADS			($0.04)		($0.09)		($0.15)
IFRS diluted loss per ADS			$0.04		($0.21)		($0.33)
Add back
	Non-cash stock-based compensation expense according to IFRS 2 (1)		$0.03		$0.05		$0.03
	Non-cash change in the fair value of convertible debt embedded derivative		($0.14)		$0.03		$0.12
	Non-cash interest on convertible debt  and other financing (2)		$0.03		$0.03		$0.03
Non-IFRS diluted loss per ADS			($0.04)		($0.09)		($0.15)
	(1) Included in the IFRS loss as follows:
		Cost of product revenue	$                 29		$                 14		$                15
		Research and development	470		555		554
		Sales and marketing	290		346		217
		General and administrative	526		946		374
	(2) Related to the difference between contractual and effective interest rates

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sequans-communications-announces-first-quarter-2022-financial-results-301538112.html

SOURCE Sequans Communications

FAQ

What were Sequans Communications' Q1 2022 earnings results?

Sequans reported Q1 2022 revenues of $13.9 million, a 12% increase year-over-year, and a net profit of $2.0 million.

What factors contributed to revenue growth for SQNS in Q1 2022?

Key drivers included a 125% year-over-year growth in the LTE-M/NB business and increased service and licensing revenue from 5G agreements.

How did Sequans Communications' gross margin change in Q1 2022?

The gross margin improved to 68.1% in Q1 2022, up from 50.1% in the same quarter last year.

What challenges does Sequans face in 2022?

Sequans is monitoring potential challenges including supply chain issues due to lockdowns in China and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.